In order to investigate the genetic basis of morphological variation of tetraploid plantlets of Atractylodes macrocephala, diploid plantlets were taken as experimental material, sterile filtration colchicine was used to soak 0.5-1.0 cm long buds. The difference between morphology and stomatal of diploid and tetraploid of A. macrocephala was compared, and genome polymorphism was explored by AFLP. The results showed that the buds dipped in 0.1% colchicine solution for 36 h was optimal conditions to induce tetraploid of A. macrocephala with induction rate of 32.0%. Morphological indexes such as leaf area index, leaf length and width, the density of stomas and the number of chloroplast of tetraploid were distinctly different from diploid. Four hundred and fifty-one bands ranging with 80-500 bp were amplified with 24 pairs of primers, the rate of polymorphism was 32.59%. These amplification sites of diploid were different from tetraploid of A. macrocephala, and the differences in morphology of them were reflected in the DNA polymorphism.
Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis ; methods ; Atractylodes ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Tetraploidy

Objective To explore the association between psychiatric disorders and socioeconomic status such as education,income,employment and area of community settings in Zhejiang province.Methods Data were from the epidemiological survey of mental illnesses aged 15 and older in 2001(n=14 632).Psychiatric disorders were measured by GHQ-12 with a cut-point 4.Logistic multilevel analysis was the main statistical method being used.Results The overall prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 18.5%(95% confidence intervals,17.9% to 19.1%),higher than the data from Hebei province(u=4.39,P＜0.001).Annual household income and employment were strongly associated with psychiatric disorders especially for those with low income(odds ratio 3.45,95%CI:1.72-6.67)and unemployment(odds ratio 2.03,95%CI:1.73-2.40).Factors as regional effect and education level showed weak or inconsistent association with psychiatric disorders after controlling on other indicators.Conclusion Inverse gradient relation between psychiatric disorders and SES seemed as the main result of low SES individual characteristics and some minor effects at the county level.

Objective To explore the factors influencing the premarital medical examination in Chinese population and to discuss the related possible intervention strategies.Methods Data were collected through self-designed questionnaires on 2572 newly married respondents,selected under a stratified randomized sampling method,at Marriage Registration Office in 12 counties in Zhejiang province.Predictive factors were derived from the integrating complementary constructs of Health Belief Model,Theory of Reasoned Action as well as individual demographic characteristics.Multiple logistic multilevel analyses was used as the main statistical method,with individuals as the ' low' and counties as the 'high' levels.Results Behaviors on premarital medical examination showed a clustering trait at the county level (P=0.018) and variance partition coefficients (VPC) of each variables was between 15.40％ and 17.58％.There were no statistical significances found in the rates of premarital medical examination among gender,age,residence of Household Registration,education,income,health insurance and history of premarital medical examination.However,significant correlation was seen on occupation of the respondents.The rate of premarital medical examination among the respondents who had not attended medical examination during the last six moths was 1.31times (95％ confidence intervals,1.05 -1.65 ) more than those who had,with OR (odds ratio) as 1.51 (95％CI:1.14-2.00) for the pregnant respondents in their first marriage and 0.35 (95％CI:0.23-0.51 )for remarried respondents,compared with women at first marriage but remained unpregnant.Regarding premarital medical examination,the respondents reported greater benefits,less barriers,greater positive behavioral attitudes and normative beliefs to it,with an ORs as 2.32 (95％ CI:1.18-4.60),0.71 (95％CI:0.57-0.90),1.69 (95％CI:1.10-2.58) and 1.72 (95％CI:1.34-2.20)respectively,but with no significant association with perceived susceptibility,perceived severity and motivation to comply.Conclusion Factors such as individual perceived benefits,barriers,attitudes and normative beliefs etc.,were determinants of premarital medical examination accompanied by minor (16％) influence coming from the geographical environment.

OBJECTIVENuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) is a critical transcription factor governing the expression of many cytokines that are involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. Melatonin (MT), a relatively safe and potent antioxidant which has shown efficacy in several chronic inflammatory models, may inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB and therefore might have a therapeutic use in asthma. This study aimed at observing the effect of MT on the expression of NF-kappaB and airway inflammation in a rat model of bronchial asthma.

METHODSTwenty-four male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 120 g to 170 g were randomly divided into three experimental groups (8 in each): (1) Asthmatic group: Rats were immunized on day 1 by intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg ovalbumin (OVA) in 1 ml of saline with 100 mg of alu minum hydroxide. From day 15 the animals were challenged with aerosolized OVA (1% in saline) for 20 minutes per day for 7 consecutive days. (2) MT group: OVA-sensitized rats were injected intraperitoneally with 10 mg/kg MT 30 minutes before each OVA challenge. (3) CONTROL GROUP: OVA for inhalation and MT for intraperitoneal injection was replaced with normal saline (NS). Airway responsiveness to aerosolized acetylcholine of 24 rats was detected six hours after the last challenge. Then the rats were lavaged and total and differentiated leukocytes counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were performed after staining with Wright-Giemsa staining. At the same time, levels of nitric oxide (NO) in BALF, inducible nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS) and constitute nitric oxide synthesis (cNOS) in the lung tissues were assessed with the use of nitrate reductase and chemical colorimetry, respectively. The expression of NF-kappaB in the lung tissues was observed by means of immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS(1) After OVA challenge, there was a significant decrease in airway responsiveness, lymphocytes and eosinophils in BALF in MT group compared with asthmatic group (P < 0.01 respectively); (2) There was a significant decrease in amounts of NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in the BALF and levels of iNOS in the lung tissues in MT group comparing with asthmatic group (P < 0.01 respectively); and the levels of iNOS in the lung tissues was correlated positively with NO(2)(-)/NO(3)(-) in the BALF (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences in activity of cNOS in any of the groups analyzed. (3) There was a significant increase in expression of NF-kappaB in lung tissues in asthmatic group compared with the other groups (P < 0.01), and so was in MT group compared with control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSMT could partially inhibit the expression of NF-kappaB and down-regulate the activity of iNOS in lung tissue, decrease the production of NO in BALF. These data suggest that the inhibitory effect of MT probably play a role in decreasing airway hyperresponsiveness and airway inflammation of asthmatic rats model.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; immunology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lung ; chemistry ; pathology ; Male ; Melatonin ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; analysis ; Nitric Oxide ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of transient brain dysfunction caused by imbalance between excitation and inhibition of central nervous system.Gut microbiota can affect the functional signals of the brain through brain-gut-microbiota axis.At the same time,brain signals can also affect microbial activities and gastrointestinal physiology.This article reviews the recent research progress on changes of intestinal microorganisms in epilepsy patients and possible mechanism of intestinal microorganisms affecting epilepsy.

OBJECTIVETo study the semen quality of male infertility patients in Suzhou area, China.

METHODSWe detected the semen quality of 2 640 infertility patients in Suzhou area using computer-assisted semen analysis technology.

RESULTSOf the 2 640 semen samples, 27.35% were found normal in all seminal indexes, 47.35% (1 250/2 640) abnormal in the percentage of grade a + b sperm, and 42.39% (1 119/2 640) abnormal in sperm motility. The percentage of grade a + b sperm and sperm motility were decreased with the increase of age, more obviously in those over 40 years. The incidences of asthenospermia and oligospermia were 37.31% (985/2 640) and 8.94% (236/2 640), rising with the increase of age, especially in those older than 30 years. The 9 sperm motion parameters, including VSL, VCL, LIN, MAD, VAP, STR, WOB, ALH and BCF, were significantly reduced with the decrease of sperm motility and sperm concentration.

CONCLUSIONThe infertile men in Suzhou area are mainly characterized by a decrease in sperm motility, especially in the percentage of grade a + b sperm. The correlation of age with sperm motility and incidence of asthenospermia and oligospermia suggests that men also have an appropriate childbearing age.

Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the Bilive(TM) combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine in healthy children.

METHODSA total of 116 healthy children aged 1 - 10 years, who, without history of hepatitis A vaccine vaccination and anti-HAV negative, had completed the full immunization of hepatitis B vaccine were recruited in city of Changzhou in Jiangsu province. The Bilive(TM) combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine was administered according to a two-dose schedule (0, 6 months). The dosage was 250 U for hepatitis A antigen and 5 microg for hepatitis B surface antigen. The potential adverse effects were observed within 72 hours after vaccination. The serum samples were collected for the testing of anti-HAV and anti-HBs at month 1, 6 and 7 after initial dose.

RESULTSThe local and systemic adverse reactions after immunization were slight and temporary. The rates of local and systemic adverse reactions were 12.1% (14/116) and 6.0% (7/116). The sero-conversion rates of HAV were from 92.9% (92/99) to 100.0% (101/101) and the geometric mean titers (GMT) ranged from 47.0 mIU/ml to 2762.3 mIU/ml 1, 6, 7 months after initial dose. The sero-protection rate of HBV was 86.1% (87/101) before vaccination and came up to 100.0% (101/101) one month after initial dose, and the GMTs of HBV were from 894.3 mIU/ml to 3314.3 mIU/ml 1, 6, 7 months after initial dose.

CONCLUSIONThe Bilive(TM) combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine has good safety and immunogenicity in healthy children who had preexisting immunity to hepatitis B virus.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dose-Response Relationship, Immunologic ; Female ; Hepatitis A Vaccines ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Hepatitis B Vaccines ; adverse effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunization Schedule ; Infant ; Male ; Vaccines, Combined ; adverse effects ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the level of mortality of brain tumor and its changes at different periods in China.

METHODSDeath records for tumor of brain and central nervous system, which the code of international classification of diseases-10 (ICD-10) were C70-C72, were extracted from the database of the Third National Retrospective Sampling Survey of Death Causes in China during 2004 to 2005. The corresponding population data was linked to the data of death records, that the total population was 142 660 482 person years (72 970 241 person years in male, 69 690 241 person years in female). Then crude death rate, age-specific death rate, the constitute proportion to all death caused by tumor and the age-standardized death rate were calculated by taking reference of Chinese standard population or the world standard population. The indexes of mortality were compared with that of previous retrospective surveys of death causes at 1973 - 1975 and 1990 - 1992.

RESULTSThe result showed that during 2004 to 2005, the number died from brain tumor was 4463 and the crude death rate in China was 3.13/100 000, which accounted for 2.30% of the all number died from tumor (193 841 cases). The age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 2.37/100 000 and the age-standardized death rate by the world standard population was 2.90/100 000. Of which, there were 2556 death cases for males with crude death rate of 3.50/100 000. While for females, the crude death rate was 2.74/100 000 (1907 death cases). Age-standardized death rates by Chinese standard population in male and female were 2.71/100 000 and 2.03/100 000 respectively. The age-standardized death rate by world standard population was 3.31/100 000 for male and for female that was 2.48/100 000. The age-specific death rate of brain tumor in China was increasing as age growing. The crude death rates were 3.78/100 000 (1809/47 899 806), 2.80/100 000 (2654/94 760 676), and the age-standardized death rates by Chinese standard population were 2.71/100 000 and 2.20/100 000 for urban and rural area respectively, and the crude death rates of brain tumor in east, middle and west region were 3.60/100 000 (1894/52 556 694), 3.14/100 000 (1565/49 781 225), 2.49/100 000 (1004/40 322 563). The age-standardized death rates by Chinese population were 2.57/100 000, 2.43/100 000 and 2.02/100 000. Compared to the data in the first survey during 1973 to 1975, in which the crude death rate was 1.13/100 000 and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 1.10/100 000, the crude death rate and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population were increased by 176.99% and 115.45% respectively. While compared with the second survey during 1990 to 1992, that crude death rate was 1.89/100 000 and age-standardized death rate by Chinese standard population was 1.74/100 000, the rising percent of the rates were 65.61% and 36.21% respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe level of mortality of brain tumor has been changing with an increasing trend from the period of 1973 - 1975 to the period of 2004 - 2005. The rate in male was higher than that of female with great diversity in different areas in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Brain Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Death Certificates ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Background Infective keratopathy is a key cause of corneal blindness in China,and fungal keratitis is proved to have a higher incidence and bigger threats in infective keratitis.Researches showed that topical immunology plays an important effect during the development of fungal keratitis,but its mechanism is still studying.Objective This experiment was to explore the critical immunocyte during the process of fungal keratitis.Methods Forty-eight SPF 12-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were included and randomized into the control group and model group.The fungal keratitis model closely mimicking human cornea infections was established in the mouse using scratch followed by incubation of fusarium solani on the cornea,and the mice in the control group scratched on the cornea only.Cornea was examined under the slit lamp at 0,6,9,12,24,72 and 120 hours after operation.The severity of keratomycosis was clinically scored based on the literature criteria.The inflammatory cells were identified using immnofluorescence label,and the number of the inflammatory cells was calculated and compared among different groups and time points.This study complied with the Statement of ARVO in the use of experimental animal.Both Experimental Animal Ethic Commission in Zhengzhou University and Life Science Management Commission approved this study proposal.Results After inoculation of fusarium solani,typical fungul keratitis signs were seen on the cornea.Severe corneal opacifieation occurred within 24 hours and peaked at 72 hours.However,only mild edema of cornea was exhibited and gradually recovered normal in the control group within 24 hours.The clinical score of inflammation was higher in the model group in various time points than that in the control group,and it was seen that 24-72 hours after operation,the score attached peak in the model group with a significant difference in comparison with the control group(P＜0.01).In 9,12,24,72 and 120 hours after operation,the number of neutrophil cells was significantly increased in the model group compared with control group (P＜0.05),and that in 12,24,72 hours after operation was significantly higher than the 6 hours(P=0.004,0.000,0.001).However,no significant differences were seen in the number of neutrophil cells between 9 or 120 hours and 6 hours after operation(P=0.772,0.323).The number of T lymphocytes in cornea was significantly increased in 72 and 120 hours in comparison with 6 hours in the model group(P=0.000,0.000),and from 72 to 120 hours after operation,the number of T lymphocytes was significantly higher than that of the contral group (P＜0.01).The neutrophil cell number was positive correlated with the inflammatory score in the early phase (r =0.593,P =0.000).T limphocyte emerged in late phase but no significant correlation with the clinical score (r＝0.315,P=0.062).Conclusions Neutrophil cells play a critical role in the development of fungal keratitis in early stage.

OBJECTIVETo measure the utility value of different skeletal malocclusion for patients receiving orthodontic treatment.

METHODSUtility value of different skeletal malocclusion for patients was measured by rating scale and time trade-off.

RESULTSThe youth group had higher utility values than adult group for skeletal malocclusion Class II (protruding facial type) with median mandibular angle. The utility value of skeletal malocclusion Class III (concave facial type) with low mandibular angle was the lowest, and the utility value of skeletal malocclusion Class II (protruding facial type) with median mandibular angle was the highest. There was no difference in the utility values by rating scale and by time trade-off.

CONCLUSIONFor some skeletal malocclusion, the youth had different utility values with the adult.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cephalometry ; Face ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Malocclusion ; Malocclusion, Angle Class III ; Mandible